On-DemandSpecialty Courses

The Interventional Radiology Coding Professional: A Comprehensive Training Program

Interventional radiology coding depends on details that are easy to miss: which vessels the catheter entered and in what order, whether imaging is already included in the procedure code, whether a diagnostic study can be reported with an intervention, and what device was left in place. Many procedures now use bundled codes, while others are still reported with separate catheter, procedure and imaging codes. This course helps experienced coders follow the work described in IR reports. We will cover imaging guidance, catheter placement and vascular families, angiography, arterial and venous interventions, embolization, dialysis access, biopsies, drains and tubes, central lines and ports. Case reviews focus on documented work, CPT and NCCI rules, and when a physician clarification is appropriate.

41 lessons

Webinar Objectives

1. Follow vascular and nonvascular anatomy described in IR procedure reports.
2. Recognize the differences between bundled and component-coded IR procedures.
3. Trace the catheter path and identify vascular families and vessel order.
4. Recognize documented clinical indicators without making an independent clinical determination.
5. Find the passages in procedure reports that support a proposed CPT code.
6. Distinguish separately reportable work from services already included in another code.
7. Use current CPT instructions, coding guidance and applicable edits to check code selection.
8. Recognize missing, unclear or conflicting details that could affect coding accuracy.
9. Know when a physician clarification is needed and when the existing record is sufficient.
10. Explain coding decisions clearly to providers and clinical staff using the documented work.

Format & Logistics

Format: Self-paced, online

Curriculum: 10 modules, 16 instructional hours

Access period: 6 months from enrollment

Credential: Healthcare Inspired Certificate of Completion

Audience: Experienced medical coders, interventional radiology coders, coding auditors, documentation specialists and revenue integrity professionals

Recommended background: Working knowledge of CPT and ICD-10-CM coding

Completion requirements: All 10 modules viewed in full; all module practical applications completed; Module 1-9 assessments passed at 70% (125 questions total, unlimited retakes) to unlock each next module; Module 10 Final Competency Assessment (30 questions + 5 comprehensive case reviews) passed at 80%

HCI documentation review method: IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND, LOCATE, VALIDATE, CLARIFY

Regular tuition: $99. Included at no additional cost for Annual HCi members in a qualifying tier (Signature, Premier or Pinnacle) via your membership's specialty course redemptions.

Important Disclaimers

This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, compliance, or professional advice. Always consult your organization's legal counsel, compliance officer, or payer-specific guidance before applying any coding, billing, or documentation practice discussed here.

CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association (AMA). Healthcare Inspired is not affiliated with or endorsed by the AMA.

This course does not offer CEU credit on its own. HCi members have access to separate CEU-eligible live webinars and events as part of their membership, and this specialty course is included in qualifying HCi membership tiers.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding IR Procedure Reports

Lesson 1.1: Your Role in IR Coding

Lesson 1.2: Reading the IR Report

Lesson 1.3: IR Terms That Change the Code

Lesson 1.4: Vascular and Nonvascular Work

Lesson 1.5: Researching IR Codes

Module 2: Imaging Guidance and Component Coding

Lesson 2.1: Types of Imaging Codes

Lesson 2.2: Bundled Procedures

Lesson 2.3: Separate Imaging

Lesson 2.4: Contrast, Fluoroscopy and Modifiers

Module 3: Vascular Access, Catheter Placement and Vascular Families

Lesson 3.1: Access and Sheaths

Lesson 3.2: Nonselective and Selective

Lesson 3.3: Vascular Families

Lesson 3.4: Diagnostic Angiography Rules

Lesson 3.5: Bundled Vascular Codes

Module 4: Diagnostic Angiography and Venography

Lesson 4.1: Component and Bundled Studies

Lesson 4.2: Arterial Studies and Venography

Lesson 4.3: Runoff

Lesson 4.4: Studies With Interventions

Module 5: Peripheral Arterial Interventions

Lesson 5.1: Territories and Vessels

Lesson 5.2: Treatment Hierarchy and Lesion Classification

Lesson 5.3: What Is Included

Lesson 5.4: Other Arteries

Module 6: Embolization, Venous and Dialysis Circuit Procedures

Lesson 6.1: Embolization

Lesson 6.2: Venous Procedures

Lesson 6.3: Dialysis Circuit

Module 7: Nonvascular Interventions: Biopsy, Drainage and Catheter Management

Lesson 7.1: Biopsies

Lesson 7.2: Drains and Fluid Removal

Lesson 7.3: Tubes

Lesson 7.4: Three Nonvascular Cases

Module 8: Central Venous Access, Vena Cava Filters and Vertebral Augmentation

Lesson 8.1: Central Venous Access

Lesson 8.2: Vena Cava Filters

Lesson 8.3: Vertebral Augmentation

Lesson 8.4: Three Access and Device Cases

Module 9: Documentation, Compliance and Physician Queries

Lesson 9.1: Documentation by Procedure Family

Lesson 9.2: Compliance Risks and Edits

Lesson 9.3: Queries and Coding Rationale

Lesson 9.4: Documentation Review and Sample Queries

Module 10: Integrated Case Analysis and Final Assessment

Lesson 10.1: The Complete IR Review Method

Lesson 10.2: Vascular Coding Integration

Lesson 10.3: Nonvascular and Device Coding Integration

Lesson 10.4: Five Comprehensive Case Reviews